Raymond 'Gene' Bennett, age 71, passed away May 5, 2011, at his home in Custer, SD.

Gene was born February 15, 1940, in Custer to Lloyd and Inez (Herrmann) Bennett. On October 19, 1977 he married Alma Jeannette 'Jan' Williams. He spent his lifetime in Custer, he belonged to the Custer County Sheriff's Auxiliary and sat on the Fox Scholarship Board.

Gene was a kind person who loved and was very protective of his family and taught his children to hunt and shoot. . He was a great friend and neighbor and he could fix anything. His cattle and ranching were very important to him. Whether digging a ditch or making hay he always had a smile on his face.

Survivors include his wife, Jan of Custer; four children, Evan (Sue) Bennett of Custer; Jean Anne McQuarrie of Custer; Craig (Bobbi) Hindle of Pringle, SD; Candace (Scott) Shelton of Baltimore, MD; sister, Delores (Loren) Bruning of Elko, NV; ten grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Jeffery; and brother, Darryl.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, May 9, 2011, at the Custer Cemetery in Custer.

A pot luck luncheon at Camp Volunteer, 12225 Aviation Way, located off 385 by the airport, will follow the graveside service.

The family requests that memorial gifts be forwarded to the Mayo Clinic cancer research program, in memory of Mr. Raymond Bennett. 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Custer. Written condolences can be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.